Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

(A/N: Chou returned to the palace with Sesshomaru and Rin after the battle.)

Rin's thoughts

Sesshomaru's thoughts

Sesshomaru's Demon thoughts

Sesshomaru's Demon Speak

*Demon Inu*

*Inu*

Dogs, Snakes, and Panthers

When Sesshomaru woke up the following morning he found his mate was missing. "Rin?" He called for her. "Where are you?"

"If you are searching for that human whore that was in here I put her in the servant's rooms that are connected to this room." A young demoness stated. "She stank up the room with her sickening scent and I thought you would appreciate not having to make her leave yourself, My Lord." She bowed. "My name is Saya, and I am a hebi." She informed him.

"Were you not told that the Lady of the West, my mate, is a human?" Sesshomaru asked the snake in front of him. When he saw her pale he smirked. "The woman you called a whore is actually the Lady of the West, and you're superior." He informed her.

*Whine*

"Sesshomaru?" Rin's voice came through the rooms, "Where are you?" She started to freak out. "Where are you? SESSHOMARU?" Sesshomaru stood and was walking towards her voice.

"Rin, calm down, I am coming." He called to his mate.

"What happened my love?" Rin asked. "I fell asleep beside you and when I woke up I was alone and in an unfamiliar room." She pointed out to Sesshomaru.

"A servant saw you and not knowing you were my mate had you moved as to not inconvenience me with your 'removal'." He explained to his frantic mate. "She is a new servant and will be put to work elsewhere in the Castle." He stated in a monotone voice.

"Sesshomaru, I am hungry." She informed her mate. "I can't deliver a pup if I don't eat regularly. It is bad for the pup if I don't get the nutrition that will help with its development."

"Then by all means, we shall go get you something to eat." He thought for a second. "What do you want for breakfast?" He asked curiously.

"Biscuits and gravy sound wonderful right now." She said enthusiastically. "Sausage gravy, with a cold glass of milk." She said decisively.

"If that is what you want than that is what you shall have, dear." Sesshomaru promised. "After we are done feeding you we need to tell the Court about your pregnancy." Rin smiled happily at how Sesshomaru seemed happy about having his own child.

"You really do love children don't you?" She teased. "Then we shall have as many as you want."

"Let's just get through this one first." He responded with a smile. "Shall we go?" Rin nodded. They both headed to the dining area and when Rin asked for her special breakfast the cook looked at her like she was crazy. Sesshomaru noticed the look and growled at the demon, causing the demon to flinch and run to make his Lady what she wanted.

"Biscuits and sausage gravy, with a cold glass of milk for the Lady." A servant said handing the steaming dish to Rin. "Did My Lord not want anything?" She asked flirting with Sesshomaru, earning a glare from both Rin and Sesshomaru.

"What is that strange smell?" Karan asked as she entered the dining area. "Oh, look sisters, brother, the dog is back." She hissed to her family. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at the panther demons.

"May I remind you that it is only because of Sesshomaru's good will that you are permitted into this palace?" Rin snapped at the panthers. "Speak politely to my mate or get out of our home!" She demanded.

"Ignorant human, you will rue the day you ever decided to insult the panther demon tribe." Karan snapped.

"Karan!" Toran warned with a hiss. "She is the Lady of the West; you shouldn't be so rude to her. She could have all of us killed."

"I could, but I don't like killing so I won't." Rin said in a softer tone. "I am sorry I snapped, I am just stressed about some things." She stood, having finished her meal, "Sesshomaru, I am taking a walk around the gardens, would you like to join me?" she asked her mate. If she hadn't been looking at him she wouldn't have noticed him shake his head slightly. She sighed and walked away.

2 months later

"Humans are not permitted within the grounds, leave or die." A guard snapped at a young woman who was holding a small baby. "Turn back or your child will be an orphan." He warned raising a clawed hand.

"STOP!" A woman's voice echoed through the area. "Release that woman now." She demanded imperiously. "Obey me or you will face my mate's wrath." The voice warned. The guard turned to see a young black haired human woman who was just showing her pregnancy. He swallowed nervously when he recognized the pregnant woman.

"Lady Rin, please I am just doing my job, I was told not to allow anyone to enter, especially humans." The guard informed his Lady.

"Who gave you that order?" Rin asked sweetly. "Was it Sesshomaru? His mother? One of the nobles with a note from one of them?" She asked, thinking fast.

"It was a servant who had a note she said was from Lord Sesshomaru. I think she was a Hebi." The guard relayed quickly in fear of his life. "His scent was all over the note, and I have never seen his writing so how was I to know that it was false?" He questioned quickly.

"SESSHOMARU!" Rin hollered to her mate. "I want to speak with you!" By the time she finished her sentence Sesshomaru's aura could be felt coming towards her. He arrived seconds later wondering what his mate was upset about this time.
"Rin?" All he had to say was her name and she knew what he wanted to know.

"This guard said he has instructions to not allow anyone to pass, supposedly from you, delivered by a hebi servant." Rin informed her mate angrily. "Did you give such instructions?" She asked her mate. The shock evident in his eyes was enough of an answer for her. "I take it that she acted without your instructions and is responsible for this." She informed everyone. "As for Kona's appearance I sent her a letter inviting her to tea today. That is why I was close enough to hear your words." She answered the unasked question of everyone. "Can I hold the baby?" She asked the young mother, who nodded.

"She is going to be a beauty just like her namesake." Kona said quietly, Sesshomaru nodded his agreement.

"Shall we go; I think that tea in one of the sitting rooms with access to one of the gardens is the best idea." Rin asked happily.

"Have fun, I am going to find out about that note." And I will kill that snake for interfering with the way I run things around here.Good idea. Then that snake won't be a problem again. "I will be a while; I will join you when I am done." He stated to his mate. Rin nodded with a smile and lead her guests away.

When they reached the room that Rin had set for tea she walked in and once Kona was seated she called for the tea and snacks. It was to her surprise that the very servant that Sesshomaru was looking for came at Rin's call. Once the maid finished giving them what she called for Rin informed her that Sesshomaru wanted to speak with her. The snake woman nodded and walked out. Rin rose and closed the door informing the guards that were stationed at the door that she didn't want them to be disturbed. She then sat and spoke with Kona about everything that has been going on in her village. After catching up they headed out to the gardens to look at all the flowers that were planted there for her enjoyment. "What have we here? The Lady of the West with a human woman and half-breed baby. I say we kill them and then take over the west like our old master would have wanted." Karan said to her siblings. "Then we would rule the west and could kill anyone we wanted to." All four of the Panther demons smiled at the idea. They all were about to pounce on the humans and half-demon when the hebi servant suddenly showed up.

"Can I join you? After all if not for this woman my brother would still be alive." She stated with a malicious grin.

"Your brother?" Rin inquired, "Who was your brother?" Rin looked shocked when the snake turned towards her and hissed angrily at her question.

"My brother was General Kasume. He was the pride of the Hebi's and a proud supporter of Lord Sesshomaru and his anti-human views, but then YOU had to come and change the great Lord's mind about humans, making it so that anyone who answers to the Western Lord would have to stop harming humans. We are greater than humans therefore why shouldn't we kill those who are inferior to ourselves." She ranted. "I bet you don't even know the names of your personal maids."
"Mika, I do know who everyone who serves under me is named." Rin said sadly. "I have 4 personal maids and their names are Shiori, a half-bat demon; Yuki, a snow woman; Yuri, a half-fox demon, and Nakashi, a crow demon." She informed the common servant. I can't believe she would think that I didn't know the names of those who help me with everyday things. I have no prejudice against demons or half-demons, I think of the person they are not the blood-line they have. Surely they don't think that killing me will help them with anything but hastening their own deaths. Sesshomaru won't let anyone who threatens me live, especially since I am pregnant with his pups. Pups… CHOU! That is right I can send Chou for Sesshomaru. "I will give you one chance to get out of this alive, leave now or I will call for help." She warned the scheming demons. They all advanced towards her intent on her death.

"The guards are dead, I killed them with my poison, and you have already told everyone not to interrupt you." Mika stated proudly. "The only one who could help you now is Lord Sesshomaru, and he is following my scent into a forest on the other side of the palace grounds." She smirked at Rin's fallen face. "No one will help you now, and your lover is too far away to help. Who is left for you to call?" She taunted the Lady of the West.

"CHOU GET ALPHA NOW!" Rin shrieked to her puppy who then ran off howling for Sesshomaru. "I am not defenseless. I always have a way to reach Sesshomaru." She smiled at the Snake demoness. "I may not be able to reach him but Chou can easily." She informed her tormenters.

"Rrrin. I am coming for you!" Sesshomaru could be heard by everyone, "I will protect my mate and unborn pup." He snarled in a rage. Karan, Toran, Shoran, Suran and Mika all shivered at the power in his voice. His voice spoke death for any who would harm his mate. All 5 of them pounced on Rin and the main blows were toward her womb and unborn pup. Suddenly all Rin could feel was a powerful poison seeping into her arm that she had placed in the way of her womb. She screamed in agony and pulled herself into a fetal position in order to protect her unborn child. She hoped that the pup was immune to poison, since Sesshomaru's specialty is poison. A low growl cut through the air as two dog demons appeared in demon form. Rin's attackers only knew that there was trouble because before they could do anything more to Rin they were all sent flying by a swipe of Sesshomaru's paw. He swiftly turned back into his humanoid form as did the other dog demon. They stood between the attackers and Rin; Kona ran to Rin's side and gasped when she saw the condition of the pregnant woman.

"She needs help now. It looks like the snake bit her and the poison seems to be a lethal dose for a human." She informed Sesshomaru. He turned towards his mate and the human woman who was trying to help her. When Kona raised her head she saw Sesshomaru's eyes were red and teal and his markings were jagged. "She won't survive the night if we don't get her to a healer." She said impatiently. "My village has a healer who can help with the poison, seeing as we have had to deal with it before." She reminded the Western Lord. Sesshomaru let out a summoning growl for some of the servants, 10 came running.

"Shiori, I need you to go to my brother's village and get the priestess Kagome; Nakashi you are to fetch the healer of the nearest village; Yuki, prepare rooms for several guests; Yuri, I want Rin moved to our bedchambers and changed into something light." He demanded of his mate's servants. They all nodded and ran to do his bidding. "The rest of you will need to clear the path to my chambers and get some cloths and Jaken I want you to personally fetch Jinenji." All of the servants ran to do his bidding hoping that if they were fast enough they would survive the night. "Mother, please carry Rin to our rooms. I need to deal with these traitors." Wait, we should wait to see what Rin thinks before we kill them. As it is we might need Inuyasha's help to kill the panthers. Agreed, but the snake dies now. Of course. That is not up for debate. She dies, but not before we find out why she did it. While he was pondering his moves he swiftly stopped the panther demons' from running by surrounding them with his personal guards. He advanced on the Snake demoness and when he got close enough he grabbed her and dragged her to the cells made specifically for snake demons. "You will stay in here until either Rin dies or you tell me why you would betray your Lord and Lady." He informed the young demoness. She responded by hissing at him with her eyes glowing with her rage.

"Kill me now, for your mate is not long for this world. I injected enough poison to kill a demon of your size and power." She jeered at him. "I will see her in hell along with that abomination." She smiled at the idea of the death of the half-breed pup.

"LET ME THROUGH NOW!" Inuyasha's voice echoed through the palace grounds. "SESSHOMARU, KAGOME AND I HEARD WHAT HAPPENED AND ARE HERE TO SEE TO RIN. NOW ORDER YOUR MEN TO LET ME PASS."

"My brother is here with a priestess I summoned to aid with the recovery of MY MATE." Sesshomaru snarled at the guard that was baring Inuyasha's path. "Let him and everyone who is with him pass." He ordered. "Spread the word to the other guards." Sesshomaru nodded to his brother and Kagome to follow him. "This way to Rin." He lead them directly to Rin's and his bedchambers.

"I will do my best for her, Onii-sama." Kagome stated calmly. "I have antidotes from my time, and they are more advanced than any medicine in this time." She stated with confidence. "I will help her."

"I can't lose her again." Sesshomaru stated in a broken voice. "She is everything to me." He confessed to his brother's wife.

"Kagome can work wonders and if she can't help then she can take Rin to her time to get help." Inuyasha assured his older brother.

"Once Rin is taken care of I will require your assistance in the annihilation of the panthers who attacked Rin." Sesshomaru informed his little brother.

"Of course, we gave them a chance to change and they spit in our faces by attacking Rin. They will die by our hands."